Five Best Trade Partners for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chris Archer

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WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – MARCH 12: Manager Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees looks on prior to a Grapefruit League spring training game against the Washington Nationals at FITTEAM Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on March 12, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

New York Yankees

I’ve previously said the New York Yankees are a good partner in a trade for Chris Archer, and the uncertainty around their rotation supports that. Now, with the delayed start to the season, James Paxton will likely start the year on the active roster, but he is far from guaranteed to stay healthy through an entire year. Paxton has never started 30 games in a single season, and has passed 160 innings just once.

Former Japanese superstar Masahiro Tanaka has not been an ace level pitcher since 2016. In the past three seasons, he has posted a 4.34 ERA, 3.81 SIERA, 4.22 FIP, and 1.21 WHIP. The rest of the rotation posts many uncertainties as J.A. Happ, former Tommy John Surgery victim Jordan Montgomery, and unproven arms such as Jonathan Loaisiga, Michael King and Deivi Garcia all are candidates for the final spot in the rotation.

In an Archer trade, the Pittsburgh Pirates could be asking for outfielder Clint Frazier. Frazier batted a solid .267/.317/.489 with 12 home runs and a 108 wRC+ in 246 plate appearances during the 2019 season. However, his defense left much to be desired. In the outfield, Frazier had -8 DRS (-2 in left field, -6 in right field), a -5.2 UZR (1.2 in left field, -6.4 in right field), and -4.7 range runs (-0.7 in left field, -4 in right field). The Pirates should also ask the Yanks about pitcher Albert Abreu. The team’s #11 prospect not long ago was a top 100 prospect across the MLB. Although he struggled last season, with an ERA and FIP in the 4’s, the 23-year-old still has above average grades per FanGraphs on his fastball, slider, curveball, and change up.

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